I live in France and can attest to the many of the points you have made, and are often so much leaner. Though I'm not entirly sure about the meat one.

The French love their meat, and in fact though it's now getting better it can be heard to be vegeterian or vegan here. I remember having a vegan friend come stay with me, and the french server said 'what, no meat, not cheese, what the hell do you eat'. It was quite amusing.

The french also smoke a lot more too, so there is that also.